I can only tell you my experience.  I don't have Sprint for my personal phone, but I did migrate to a touch screen from the regular QWERTY keyboard.  And I miss it.  I like a lot of the apps on the new phone, but I HATE the touchscreen keyboard.  I fat finger everything, and that is in landscape mode.  In portrait, fuhgeddaboutit.  I wish I had my slide out QWERTY keyboard again.

And stay off my lawn!!

I still like my LG Apex with slide keypad even though, like you, don't have skinny-kid fingers.
It takes a little getting used to texting on small buttons, but they are "raised".

You'll like your new smartphone, no matter what, with all the things you will be able to do with it (still waiting for the BT Droid app here).

The on screen keyboard kinda depends on the manufacturer of the phone. For example, I had the original iPhone and I could type ridiculousy fast on that thing. I wrote full emails from the phone with no problem.

My wife has the HTC Hero and the onscreen keyboard on that thing sucks. Always getting wrong letters, it auto corrects when you don't want it to, it's always screwing the sentence up. The iPhone keyboard is a heck of a lot smarter and almost always knows what you are trying to say even if you miss a letter.

So I don't recommend HTC's onscreen keyboard. I haven't tried Samsung's onscreen so I can't comment on that, but I think it has swipe on it which allows you to start at the first letter and just swipe the remaining letters and it figures out the word, kinda cool.

I would just try both onscreens out and see if you can use either. HTC has come out with a new EVO that has a slide out as well if you really want an EVO.

Sprint charges $10 more a month to have a 4g phone. Doesn't matter if you even live in an area that has 4g, you get charged the extra $10 just for having the capability.

I have always had good luck with Samsung phones. My experience with HTC has been absolutely terrible. My wife and I both had the HTC Hero and I took mine back for the Palm Pre. Nothing on that Hero works right. My wife makes daily threats of throwing the thing out her car window.

I have heard god things about the EVO so you would probably be ok with it. I would check on some forums and see how Samsung is at getting updates out. The problem with Android is each manufacturer has it's own tweak for android so when an android update comes out you don't get it until the manufacturer has had a chance to apply their tweak. With the Hero, HTC was a year and a half late on getting the update out, and once they did it was already outdated. Not sure how fast Samsung is at getting their tweak applied. It can be a bit frustrating when there is an update to fix all the annoying things about the phone but you can't have it because the manufacturer isn't ready yet.

Personally, my wife and I can't wait to ditch Sprint and go to Verizon for some iPhones.



Edited by Aarondb4 2011-02-10 12:09 PM

I have sprint and my wife and I are looking to either upgrade or change to verizon in late march when the plan contract is up. We are debating on getting smart phone and have looked at the ones you mentioned. Right now we just have standard phones with a slide out keyboard for texting.

in regards to the tough screen though, I have found that over time it has gotten much easier with my Ipod touch. at first it took me forever to get anything in but now i am typing fairly well for most things I need to do. I would say give a touch screen a chance if you have not already spent more than a few minutes in the store with one. If you still dont like it or get used to it I would go with the slide out keyboard. The dual screen one just sounds like it is going to break to me.

They do have the "swipe feature".  It could take getting used to, but seems nice...

That's what I was wondering.  The 10 bucks a month to get a 4G phone...  I don't care if the phone is 4G or 3G, I just want THE PHONE, and not pay for the service.  But it sounds like that's not possible.  If the phone is 4G compatible, I have to pay.  Ick.

I did see the HTC with the slide out keypad online.  I would like to see one in the store...  But I'm REALLY liking the Samsung now.

My work has ordered us all EVO Shift phones and it should be here soon. The one I am getting does have a keyboard that slides out.

I really just want it to make calls on honestly.

When I went with my first "fancy phone" this fall, I had my heart set on the HTC hero. After talking with the sales guys, and playing with a few of the Heros...I really didn't like it as much. So, I had it narrowed down to a couple of other phones with a much better picture quality and whatnot, and settled on the Zio (it was new that day) b/c I wanted a touchscreen only.

That phone died in two days, and went I went back to replace it...I tried the Samsung Transform (their new 3g one--basically, the Epic in 3G w/out the amoled display). I absolutely LOVE the slideout keyboard option. Having three different ways to type (horizontally and vertically on the touch screen, and the keyboard as well) is awesome. I'd never get one that wasn't like this. I was concerned about the bulk, initially, but it really isn't bad. I tend to use the touchscreen and the keyboard fairly equally. Each one has its advantages. (My husband has a blackberry, and I couldn't stand that wee little keyboard or NO touchscreen).

As far as the 4G-- I initially wanted the Evo, but at that point there was no 4G in my area. If you get a 4G phone, you MUST pay the 4G fee, regardless of whether you have it available or want it or not. We have 4G available here now, and I will probably switch to whatever the Epic has become in a couple years, when the coverage is broader... but for now, I'm very happy with my phone. The Transform isn't AMOLED, but it's got a great picture, IMO.

If you like the Epic, and don't want the 4G, I'd highly recommend the Transform.

Edited by mmrocker13 2011-02-10 3:23 PM

Sprint up'ed all their phones $10 per month for data. They offer UNLIMITED data so it really isn't bad.

My wife has the EVO and loves it - my boss has the Epic and loves it. I have a Blackberry and have been waiting to make a decision as well. I am hoping for a Droid Pro'ish phone soon on Sprint.

I would say if you are going to be doing a lot of emails & texts go with the Epic - you won't be unhappy.

Edited by RedShark 2011-02-10 5:09 PM